The Magic of Hart

Why not Belhadj or Utaka some may have asked, including me. But the answer is that we did benefit a lot from this move: Johnson could help Kaboul to close their dangerous left side by defending with five defenders, as Johnson was constantly helping Kaboul who himself was busy helping Campbell and Distin.

Once we break, we reshuffle once again and attack at full strength.. This worked out perfectly well.

Great job Hart and Kidd!

Written by Pompey Malta.

The views within this article are the views of the individual who wrote and submitted this piece, sometimes solely theirs. They are not necessarily shared by the Vital Pompey Site Journalists.

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thanks for this Pompey Malta. i must admit i was left a bit baffled by decision to play johnson in right midfield - something we had cried out for for about a year at times under 'him' but never got - but it paid off... myself, i though johnson wasnt as effective as he usually is at right back, but kaboul had a sound game and got forward unbelievably well!off to watch match of the day now with a beer!

Yes Johnson does look better comming from deep, but still did well, Kaboul is not really a right back, but done a job as we have said before I would like to see young Wilson (when fit) in front of Johnson, but that depends on when Pennant gets back.

kaboul surprised me at just how well he got forward as a right back, how he could beat players and what a good delivery he has - as i have said before tho i think he will be an excellent player for us!totally agree on the wilson thoughts yong, and have expressed these previously too - even doing some 'diagrams' on this in the pennant article on friday...

I think Paul Hart's best decision of the day was bringing Kanu on - he was in the way of Tim Howard for Crouch's winner. Saying that, Nugent really did have a great game, and at the time of th substitution I did wonder..... hindsight is a wonderful thing!!

When I saw the team chalked up on the Ladbrokes board at FP I thought "we're playing five at the back???" but it worked well as we had a lot of people back to defend when needed and, on the whole, pushed up in attack as well. Watching Belhadj warming up over the half time break it was obvious that he was gagging to have a go (and may well have punched Fellaini's lights out had he been allowed to). My fave bit was Sol pushing up and making an attack into the box followed by his slow, stately walk back to the defence - don't rush yourself, Sol mate!

I have to agree with everyone, that after yelling for Johnno to be pushed up for so long he was a little wasted. It paid off though as we defended very well. I think Nugget deserves A LOT of credit for his defensive duties! He works his socks off getting up and down the pitch.

well johnson made 'garth crooks' team of the week along with crouchy, if that means anyway, so he must have done well. kaboul and johnson linked up well, but i reckon johnson and wilson would link up even better - i was still really impressed with how well kaboul got forward, he is really quick, powerfull and puts in a good cross.

Gandor, im completely with you, hart took most of the blame against boro, but redeemed himself at the weekend.